Applying for Ph.D dilemma

[colevalley18]

Hello, I am in a UK master’s program and the program officially ends in September. However, most Ph.D programs I’m applying to requires a master’s transcript, but my school only provides them at the end of the program. The dilemma is that the Ph.D program starts in September, but I won’t know if I have graduated nor my transcript until then. Do Ph.D programs normally look at the masters’ transcript? Also, is better to take a gap year?

[Teaching Faculty Wannabe]

34 minutes ago, colevalley18 said:

Hello, I am in a UK master’s program and the program officially ends in September. However, most Ph.D programs I’m applying to requires a master’s transcript, but my school only provides them at the end of the program. The dilemma is that the Ph.D program starts in September, but I won’t know if I have graduated nor my transcript until then. Do Ph.D programs normally look at the masters’ transcript? Also, is better to take a gap year?

Hi there! I sadly don’t know much about the transcript dilemma. I would contact someone at your current school and the PhD school(s) to explain the problem and see if this can be easily  resolved. If it’s the same school, then that might make this easier. In the US, they only require your current transcript and then might ask for another when your final grades are out after graduating. I am not sure how it works in the UK, but I think it would be best to contact someone at your school and the schools you are applying to who can give you a better answer. 

With the gap year, I might be biased on this. I am currently taking a gap year. It has been great to have a break from school, let myself rest, travel a little, spend time with family, give me time to focus on applications, and figure out further my research interests. However, I am doing this this because PhDs in the US can last up to 7 years if you are unlucky, so I wanted to enjoy some free-time before I will never get it again. A gap year might be for you if: 

1. You are feeling pretty tired after your masters and need a mental break from school

2. Want to do something big, such as travel or volunteer abroad, before going back to school

3. Still need to time figure out your interests 

4. Want plenty of time to have good graduate school applications

I hope this helps somewhat! Good luck!